2017-2018 Board Members

Kiley Best – Director at Large, Board Member 2016-2017, Newfoundland

Kiley Best is involved in education and outreach through her full time work with the Center for Fisheries Ecosystems Research and OceanNET at Marine Institute, aquatic invasive species research and the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium board of directors Vice Chair. Fisheries research through family events and graduate student recruitment, Invasive species education in high school curriculum field labs, and encouraging ocean investment and conservation through action at the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium. Kiley is involved in all aspects of coordinating, designing, fundraising and executing these initiatives. She looks forward to being involved with CaNOE to help achieve its goals.

Natasha Ewing – Director at Large, British Columbia

Natasha Ewing has a background in biology and ocean science from the University of Victoria and is currently pursuing her MA in Environmental Education and Communications through Royal Roads. Natasha has strong experience in public and K-12 education and engagement through previous positions with the BC Ministry of Environment and World Fisheries Trust. In her current position with Ocean Networks Canada as a K-12 education coordinator, Natasha has been instrumental in initiating and coordinating engaging, experiential programs, such as the Ocean Science Symposium for high school students and teachers, which is in its 6th year. Her interests in flexible learning environments, sustainable education, and understanding how students become invested in their learning led her to pursue further education. Once complete, she hopes to continue inspiring youth to follow their dreams, providing genuine learning experiences, and assisting in the creation of new innovative programs.

Kayla Glynn served as CaNOE’s Secretary on the Executive Board in 2016/2017. Kayla first became involved with CaNOE while completing her Master’s of Marine Management at Dalhousie University. While in school Kayla researched the assessment of compensation claims related to ship-source oil spills. Kayla has now graduated and is working in Vancouver, BC at Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping.

Having grown up away from the sea, Kayla understands how many Canadians experience a disconnect from the ocean. However, since completing her BAH degree in coastal studies at the University of Victoria, the ocean has become Kayla’s passion, and her studies and work have aimed at discovering what motivates people to further engage with, and defend, all that the sea has to offer.

Kayla has a keen interest in oceans education and is happiest when sharing her knowledge of the ocean with others. “It has been a fantastic experience becoming involved with CaNOE and I look forward to aiding in the organization’s further growth, organization, and advancement of ocean literacy in Canada. I particularly look forward to encouraging others to join and feel the inclusivity and appreciation offered by the network.”

Magali Grégoire – Director at Large, Nova Scotia

Magali Grégoireis a science educator and museologist who discovered her passion for ocean life when she moved to Newfoundland in 2013. After working as the Educational Programs Coordinator at the Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium, she felt inspired to open a similar aquarium in Nova Scotia. In 2016 she founded the Back to the Sea Society, a non-profit dedicated to opening a seasonal, catch-and-release aquarium in greater Halifax. Magali is the Chair of Communications for the Fishermen and Scientists Research Society and a Board member of the Eastern Passage and Area Business Association. Having worked at the Montreal Insectarium and the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, she has a strong experience with environmental education and conservation. Magali would like to contribute her knowledge of science communication and experience in the non-profit sector to the CaNOE Board. She is also willing to put to work some of her newly acquired fundraising skills!

Kayla Hamelin, Communications Working Group Member – Nova Scotia

Kayla Hamelin became actively involved with CaNOE after participating in the 2016 Ocean Literacy conference and is currently a member of the Communications Working Group, contributing regularly to the SPLASHmail newsletter. Originally from the shores of Georgian Bay, Kayla’s passion for the ocean was sparked at a young age after a family trip to the Maritimes. Post-secondary studies led her back to the Atlantic coast, where she completed a B.Sc.Hons. in Marine Biology and Oceanography at Dalhousie, and then on to the Redpath Museum in Montreal, where Kayla earned a M.Sc. in Biology from McGill. During her studies, she taught undergraduate biology labs and worked as Chapter Coordinator for the science outreach organization Let’s Talk Science. Now, Kayla works as the Coordinator of Conservation and Educational Outreach for the Canadian Sea Turtle Network in Halifax. She is keen to apply her skills in teaching, communication, and non-profit management to her work with the CaNOE board.

Heather Murray, Executive, Co-chair, British Columbia

Heather is a facilitator and project assistant with WildBC in Victoria, where she helps connect teachers and their students to the natural world through workshops and outdoor learning experiences. Heather grew up playing in the red mud of the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. She studied chemistry at Mt Allison and education at UNB, with a healthy dose of theatre on the side. Heather eventually found her way to Vancouver, where she helped introduce the Destination Conservation energy, water and waste program to BC schools and served on the Recycling Council of BC.

Having married into a sailing family, Heather looks forward to summers gunkholing around the spectacular south coast of BC and nurturing a love for the ocean and desire to understand and protect it. As a founding director of CaNOE, she has been thrilled to help launch and guide a national ocean literacy initiative. Heather has contributed her passion and practical perspective to the communications, strategic planning and membership working groups and looks forward to a second year as co-chair to work on partnerships and member engagement.

Captain Jan Negrijn -Director at Large, Newfoundland

Captain Jan Negrijn is an ocean educator, leader in marine ecotourism, small business owner, and a committed advocate for ocean literacy. Jan enjoyed a 30 year career as a ship master and marine educator with the Marine Institute of Memorial University, where he developed and taught many courses related to ocean literacy. Since 2004 he has operated ‘Coastal Connections’, a specialty tour company, focussed on providing high quality educational cruises on board the M/V Coastal Explorer He has worked in collaboration with science teachers and curriculum specialists with the NL English School District and the provincial Department of Education, and developed and field-tested a ‘floating classroom’ model for K-12 students, linked directly to the school curriculum. His award winning skills, experience and passion for ocean education has made him a key player in Newfoundland, and he is interested in becoming part of a national effort through CaNOE.

Stella Peters (Na-siis-mis-uk-sup) has shared her knowledge, working with students, teachers, professors and other visitors to Huu-ay-aht First Nations territories, for decades. Stella is a guardian of the coast and the first cultural interpreter at the Huu-ay-aht and Canadian National Historic Site/ Kix’iin.

Stella lives beside the Pacific Ocean and knows her connections to the sea, from the food that feeds her family to the tsunamis that have shaped their history. When asked why Stella would be willing to serve on the board she quickly answered “because I care”.

Like other Nuu-chah-nulth-aht living on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Huu-ay-aht are people of the sea and Stella is at home on the beach, collecting traditional sea foods. She is also at home in the board room and at ease with technology, sharing her photography with hundreds of her on-line followers, who have had the chance to learn from her.

Stella brings her own unique Indigenous voice and wisdom to the CaNOE board. Raised by her Grand-parents (her Grandfather was the head chief, Tyee Hawiih) Stella was trained to be a leader. Her years on Council and the training she received there will hold our board in good stead, and add perspective, as we pull together for ocean literacy in Canada.

Maggie Romuld – Director at Large, Communications Working Group Co-chair, Board Member 2016-2017, British Columbia

Maggie has degrees in Biogeography and is registered as a Professional Biologist in both Alberta and British Columbia. Maggie’s primary research interests are riverside habitats and the impact of dams on river ecology, and her work with Alberta Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) focused on project management and outreach and education. This then led to more permanent work with integrated resource management and stakeholder engagement. She has taught a variety of social, regional and physical geography courses, as well as conservation and other biology courses at colleges and universities in Alberta and British Columbia. Maggie has recently relocated to the East Kootenays and is the middle of a career pivot, trying to combine her love of writing and editing with a strong desire to engage people with science and nature. A member of the first Board of Directors and the Communications Working Group, Maggie will continue working on the monthly SPLASHmail newsletter. She is also looking forward to furthering the work of the first board on improving ocean literacy in landlocked provinces, and initiating a discussion of “Rivers to Oceans” under the broader topic of ocean literacy.

Andrew Sherin brings to the Board a passion for the health of the ocean and evidence based decision making for ocean management, 35 plus years as a professional in ocean science, linkages to other ocean related networks, and experience as a Board member and reporting to a Board. The lack of knowledge about the oceans in the general public and amongst decision makers is a significant impediment to effective management of human activities that contribute to negative impacts on ocean health and marine ecosystems. Since January 2011, Andrew is the Director of the Atlantic Coastal Zone Information Steering Committee Secretariat. He has worked with Natural Resources Canada at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography for 35 years in various capacities. He’s a member of the BIO Oceans Association and editor of the their newsletter, a member of the Geomatics Association of Nova Scotia and a past board member, treasurer, and president. Andrew is also a member of the international science committee of the CoastGIS symposia series and a member of International Coastal Atlas Network Steering Group and edit the ICAN newsletter. He is the owner of a property 300 m from a quickly eroding coastal line and a father of three daughters and two granddaughters that love the ocean side.

Anne Stewart, a founding CaNOE director, continues to pull hard for CaNOE’s goals nationally and internationally. Currently Anne participates in several CaNOE committees including governance, strategic planning, communications, finance and international. Anne is ocean literacy co-chair on the Canadian Galway Marine Working Group and part of the International Advisor’s Group to the EU’s Horizon 2020, Blue Growth, Ocean Literacy project called Sea Change. That project involves 19 countries. Anne is also a coastal community member, based in Bamfield, BC and well known for hands-on work inspiring teachers and students.

Anne is an educator and communicator who believes science literacy requires ocean literacy. Anne promotes ocean literacy through active volunteerism and through her favourite endeavours: Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation, Bluewater Adventures and her own marine education and communication company.

Anne is committed to CaNOE and looks forward to the next leg of the journey. She brings experience, wisdom and contacts that will help chart a passage that is inclusive, collaborative, creative and dynamic.